Top roll.



L. W. CAMPBELL.

ToP ROLL.v

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 21| 1911.

1,286,936, lPatented De'allO, 1918. e I

lo the improvement are full "ill-@i Y' ein LEON' W. CAMPBELL, OF PRQVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

Tor non..

Specification of Letters Patent. .Patented Das., it), 1918.

Application filed .Tune 21, 1917. Serial No. 176,087.

To aZZfwwm t may concern:

Be it blown that I, LEON W. CAMPBELL, a `citizen of the United States, residlng at Providence, in the county of Providence,

6 State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and nseful'Improvements in Top Rolls, of which the following is a specificationZ My invention relates to top-rolls for sp1nning-frames, drawing-frames, mules, speed- 10 ers or other like textile apparatus, and consists of improvements in the construction and method of operation of the same.` The object of my improvement is to pro'vlde a top-roll comprising space dapart, cyllndrical l5 end-shells connected by arotary spindle or arbor j ournaled in anti-friction, oilless bearings. The essentialfeature ofthe improvement is the arrangement for connecting both end shells to rotate together through the means of the axial spindle journal in antifriction bearings in a central support which carries the pressure-weights. rihrough this arrangement the peripheries of the shells are maintained in better contact with the 5 lower driving-rolls against which they bear,

and both shells are rotated together at a uniform speedwithout slippage or lost motion.

The manner and means for carrying out following specification, i ustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate like parts. ln the 5 Figure 1 is a longitudinal, sectional view of a top-roll illustrating one embodiment of the invention;

vFig. 2, a transverse, sectional view of a plurality of the rolls arranged in series, and 0 illustrating the improved means for supporting their central bearingrmember's;

Fig. 3, a plan view in detail of one of the rollbearing supports or sockets;

Fig. 4, a transverse, sectional view of thel 5 same;

Fig. 5, a cross-sectional view thnOu h the end-shell ofthe roll taken on'the line -X of Fig. 1 and illustrating the means for frictiolally clutching the shell to its supporting 0 hu Fig. 6, a detail view of the spring-ring or `clutch-device for the shell; and

Fig. 7, a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a modification in theconstruction of the roll- I 5 bearings. v

Referring first to Fig. 1, my improved "top-roll comprises essentially a central', starotary elements S,

described in the tionary bearing-member lorsupport B and soV receive the spindle or arbor A with a slight clearance around its sides. Theends of the spindle A are screw-threaded at a, to-

adapt them to be inserted in the threaded bores it of two cylindrical hubs H, H. After the hubs H have been screwed onto the ends of the spindle A, suitable set-screws d, ai are screwed into the .bores It from the opposite side to lock them in place by binding against the ends of the spindle. Between the inner faces of the hubs H, H and the ends ofthe member B are series of antifriction balls C, C. The balls C are adapted to revolve in conical recesses c, o at the ends of the member B and are thereby held inv place to provide a vthree-point bearing of usual arrangement. By releasing the setscrews d the hubs H may be adjusted longitudinally of the spindle A to provide the proper relation between their sides and the ends of the member B, and to compensate for wear on the bearings. Y

Each hub H is scored on its periphery with an annular groove 71. in which is inserted the locking-ring or friction-clutch member Gr for the shell S. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6 the ring G is constructed of spring-wire having one end bent inwardly at g and inserted in a radial hole 71.2 in the hub H. Adjacent the end g the wire is bent or crimped outwardly in an abutment g which is adapted to snap into an opening or depression s on the interior of the shell S for a purpose as later explained.

`'lhe shells S, S are of cylindrical, sleevelike form having coverings L of leather or other suitable material on their peripheral surfaces, as usually employed in this art. On the interior of each shell S is a relatively shallow, annular groove "s arranged centrally of its ends, and leading radially outward from the groove is the depression or hole s, previously referred to.

The shells S are fitted to the exterior of the hubs H surrounding the ends of the bearing-member B with a slight clearance i Lacasse' therebetween so as to permit them to rotate free thereof. As they are slid into place on the hubs H the rings G spring into their grcoves4 s to secure them longitudinally in .qu1red. Fig. 2 illustrates three. top-rolls R,

'setting of the lower, driving-rolls.

place thereon. For this purpose the rings G are made slightl larger in diameter than that of the hubs Il, but are adapted to contract radially into their grooves h to allow for the insertion of the hubs into the sleeves S. After the sleeves S have thus been applied to their hubs H they are turned into position to brin the abutments g o n the rings G into register with the holes s in the shells., The spring-tension of the rings Gr willthen cause the abutments g to snap into the holes s to effect a friction-grip or clutchaction whereby the shells will be connected rotatively with the hubs. In this manner the shells S are both connected rotatively with the axial shaft or spindle A to turn R, R2 set in accordance with the spacing of the lower drive-rolls D, D', D2 which are represented by dash lines in' this view. To provide for this adjustable setting ofthe top-rolls R, I employ a support or separatorbar F having spaced sockets K arranged along its top. The bar F is preferably-of rectangular shape in cross-section and is supported at one end by an arm E which projects upwardly from a rod or other fixed part of the machine, not here shown. The ar F may be secured on thek arm E by a bolt e or supported in any other suitable manner, and isv formed with a central, longitudinal 'slot f extending substantially its whole length, see Figs. 3 and 4. The socket-members K are preferabl constructed of sheetmetal with a plate extending across the top of the bar F and bent down around its 'sides in the earslc, 7c', see Fig. 4. Cut away from the center of the plate c is a p'ortion p .bent upwardly into a rounded lip which forms one half of the socket to'which the upwardly curved end p. of the plate f: is the complement. In this manner the two sides p, p provide a semi-cylindrical seat or b earing for receiving the central, reduced section B of the' member B, the shoulders o, o of which abut the sides of the socket to hold it against longitudinal displacement therein.

The socket-members K are secured to the bar F by means of screws t reaching down through the slot f and screwed into nuts T.

The nuts T have square bodies fitted to the slot f to prevent them from turmn therein, and flanges t which abut the un er side of the bar F in binding engagement therewith to clamp the members K, K in position thereon. By releasing the screws t the socket-members K may be slid along the bar F to adjust the position of the top-rolls R in relation to their respective, lower drive-rolls D. For holding the members B in their sockets K a wire hook J is employed arranged with its end hooked over the top of the member B and with weights, not here- Ain shown, at the bottom acting to draw the top-rolls R downinto driving contact withthe lower rolls D.

In Fig. 7 I have illustrated another embodiment of the invention in which the ballbearings for the end-hubs H are dispensed with. In this modification the central bearing-member B is constructed of wood or composition, specially treated to provide oilless bearings for the parts which rotate thereagainst. Such a form of bearing-material generally used in the mechanical arts is known as Arguto and has been lfound well adapted for the present purpose. 'With this construction the ends of the member B are provided with conical `recesses 0, o, as shown in Fig. 1, but the balls C, C are displaced by cones C', C formed on the sides of the hubs H, H. The cones C', C rotate freely within the recesses o, c as the hubs H, H turn with the spindle A under the driving action of the shells S, S carriedl thereby. No lubricant is required for the bearings, but to compensate for any slight wear after long use the hubs H may be ad justed inwardly on the spindle A as in the` case with the ball-bearings shown in Fig. 1.

In applying my .improved top-roll R to use the shells or sleeves S, S are slipped on over their hubs H, H until the clutch-rings G sont in their interior grooves s. The

. shells S are then adjusted to allow the abutments vg on the rings G to enter their openmgs s, and in this manner they will be clutched to their hubs I-I to connect them rotatively with the shaft or spindle A. This form of connection allows for convenient removal of the shells S for recovering or replacement. The bearing-members B are next seated in their sockets K and the latter adjusted in position along the separator-bar or support F in accordance with the relation of the lower rolls D with which the top-rolls R coperate. After the sockets K have been clamped in. place on the bar F, in

the manner as previously explained, the

weighted hooks J are applied to the bearingmembers B and the whole mechanism is then ready for operation. chine is started the-lower rolls D are rotated to drive the rolls R, through the frictional contact of their peripheries, and the sliver When the malat providing or other fiber' is drawn through them in the usual manner as well known in the art. The two end-shells S, S rotate freely on thelr antifriction bearings and it is to be particument is given to each top-roll, sinceif the driving contact at one end is lessened the opposite shell will still act to drive its companion without slippageor lost motion. At the Sametime the bearing-member B, being supported at its center only, allows the roll to tilt or rock slightly under its load to provide for variations in the thickness lof the material passing under the rolls at their opposite ends. Another important feature of the improvement resides in the fact that the loadwhich acts to holdthe top-rolls down against their'drive-rolls is not supported on the axial spindle or arbor, but by the member B, the thrust being taken through the widely separated end-bearings which are ofsuch a type as to prevent friction or binding. For this reason my improved roll is much easier running than the usual type, although it requires no oil or other lubricant for its bearings. This latter feature is important as guarding against soiling-the yarn bers or injuring the surface of the rolls. It will also be noted that the roll-bearings are completelyprotected from the insinuation of dirt, lint, or other accumulations liable y toy'interfere with their action,.and hence the whole roll is much more elicient and durable in use. My improved means for adjusting the relative position of the rolls is exceedingly simple in construction and economical to manufacture, while a maximum of convenience to operate.

Various modications might be made in i' the form and structure of the parts of my improved device Without departing from the spirit or scope of the'invention; therefore, without limiting myself to the exact embodiment shown and described, what'I claim is:-

1. An improved top-roll comprising a cylindrical bearing-member formed with an axial bore, a spindle extending through the bore free from the sides thereof, hubs ixedly secured to vthe ends of said spindle to rotate therewith, anti-friction bearings between the hubs and the ends of the bearingmember, and cylindrical shells detachably mounted on the hubs to adapt them torotate therewith while allowing them to be removed therefrom.

Copies o! this patent may be obtained for ve axial bore .longitudinally 2. An improved top-roll comprising a central fixed bearing-member, bearings at the opposite ends of said member, an axial spludle journaled in said bearings, hubs fast on the ends of said spindle to rotate therewith, cylindrical shells fitted to the peripheries of the hubs, and resilient-means for engagingk the shells with Ltheirrhubs to hold themrotatively therewith and longitudinally thereof while allowing them to bel removed therefrom.

3. An improved top-roll comprising a cylindrical and conical seats at its opposite ends, a spindle extending through the bore free from the sides thereof, hubs onthe ends of the spindle, means for adjusting the hubs ofthe spindle, balls revoluble between-the hubs and the end-seats on the bearing-member, and cylindrical shells tted to the peripheries of the hubs.

4. An improved top-roll comprising a central fixed bearing-member, an axial spindle Y journaled in bearings in said member, hubs said spindle, shells fitted socket-member adjustable along the bar and formed with a 'seat for receiving the bearin,. ;-4 member, and a weight-hook suspended from the bearing-member to hold it in the socket.

6. The combination with a top-roll comprising a central cylindrical bearing-member, a spindle journaled in bearings in said member and rotary shells carried at the ends of said spindle, of a supporting-bar, a socketmember slidable along the bar and formed with a semi-cylindrical seat for the member, means to clamp the socket-member in position on the bar, anda Weight-hook suspended from the bear'ng-member-to hold it in its socket. 'l

ing spaced-apart by a central xed bearing-member of a 'supporting-bar, a socket-member having a seat for receiving the bearing-member and fitted to the bar to slide therealong, and means for clamping the socket-member-in different positions on the bar.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

LEON W. CAMPBELL.

cents each, by addressing the Commissioner ot Patenti.

Washington, D. 0.

bearing# rotary elements supported v bearing-member formed with an of said hubs, and expanl iro i 7. The combination with a .top-roll hav-l y 

